TAKING a selfie as you cast your vote in the General Election today could land you in JAIL – but what else can't you do at the polling stations?

Millions of people are expected to cast their votes today in what is expected to be the closest poll in recent years.

But while most people are familiar with the procedure of voting, a small slip up could land voters on the wrong side of the law.

TAKE A SELFIE

While it is not illegal to take a picture of your ballot paper, publicising a picture of it - for example, by posting it on social media - could land you with a £5,000 fine or six months in prison.

This is because The Representation of People Act prohibits you from communicating "information obtained in a polling station" - which could include the unique reference number of a ballot paper or how someone has voted.

The Election Commission warned of the dangers of selfie taking in the polling booths during last year's local election.

It issued the following guidance: "The law relating to obtaining information in polling stations and disclosing such information is complex.

"Given the risk that someone taking a photo inside a polling station may be in breach of the law, whether intentionally or not, our advice is that you should not allow photos to be taken inside polling stations."

GETTY

Voters are warned against posting on Twitter inside a polling station

TWEET ABOUT VOTING

Voters are warned against posting on Twitter inside a polling station, but are free elsewhere to communicate their vote.

However, The Representation of People Act prohibits you from communicating information about someone else's vote.

Specifically, a section of the act states it is against the law to "directly or indirectly induce a voter to display his ballot paper after he has marked it so as to make known to any person the name of the candidate for whom he has or has not voted".

WEAR POLITICAL CLOTHING

Voters who arrive at polling stations wearing clothes which clearly support one political party could be turned away.

This is because it could be seen as intimidating to other voters, or that the individual is attempting to encourage others to vote in a particular way.

However, early risers will be pleased to know that turning up to the polling station in your pyjamas or other casual wear is perfectly acceptable.

CHAT TO YOUR PARTNER

Voters are not allowed to discuss political candidates inside the polling station - a move which will result in staff intervention and possible ejection.

People are also not allowed to ask someone who they are voting for or distribute party leaflets once inside.

Those wishing to discuss politics are allowed to do so outside the polling station.

GETTY

Wearing a rosette is forbidden for most of us voting today

WEAR A GIANT ROSETTE

The only people allowed to wear rosettes while voting are political candidates and their polling agent - even then it must be plain and bear no slogan.

While size dimensions are not specified, guidance from the Electoral Commission in 2008 stated the rosette must be no more than "three to four inches" wide.

WRITE A MESSAGE TO POLITICIANS

Writing a message to political leaders could mean your vote will not be counted as it could be seen as spoiling your ballot.

Traditionally, voters would put 'None of the above' if they did not want to choose a political party but wanted their vote counted in the overall turnout.

CHILDREN VOTE ON BEHALF OF THEIR PARENTS

While children are allowed to be present at the polling station, they are not allowed to write the X on the ballot paper for an adult.

If there is a large number of under-18s in the station, staff have the right to ask them to wait outside.